This movie, arguably, wants to be known less for what it ends up being, and more for what all it tries to be - a murder mystery (the promos go as far as calling it a spy-thriller), a political commentary, a story about love and devotion, a story about deceit and mistrust - now a bit raunchy, and then a bit philosophical, and finally a bit too tired of itself to not have enough courtesy and energy left, to wrap things up with a decent denouement.
John le Carre’s story and Jeffery Caines’s script definitely go with the ’more the merrier’ approach for the ingredients, weaving the above list into a tale of a British diplomat’s lone investigation into the murder of his political activist wife, in Kenya. That odyssey, for the passive tone in which it is handled, shows us how ruthless, dominant and prevailing are the political and commercial forces that together exploit the poor and the suffering in Africa as specimen for drug trials. Along the way the journey also includes detours, as portrayed through a series of well-timed flashbacks, that provide a very touching insight into the couple’s relationship.
Ralph Fiennes in the lead role brings a lot of depth and conviction to the character. Rachel Weisz brings in the required variation in demeanor to match the changing moods of the script. Great performances! And, even greater camera work - imaginative, restless (clearly handheld on many occasions, to lend realism), crisp and colorful!
As compelling as some, of the many, parts may look to be, the whole turns out to be something less than the sum of its parts. Too ambitious in scope, quite phoney at times, and often desultory.